DIY haven Instructables.com has a quickie tutorial on how to make your very own cheapo bias monitor lighting.

Bias lighting basically will give your eyes a bit of a rest whilst looking at the monitor. The instructions are simple, and it does really make a difference; really, it's just the simple trick of putting a light behind your monitor instead of on the side or on top. What are your favorite ways to make your monitor a bit more easy on the eyes? Thoughts to comments or to tips at lifehacker.com. — Wendy Boswell